Velvet Grooves

Well, I have to say - what an honour it is to be reviewing an Amon Tobin record. I've been listening to this fella for about 10 years - first introduced by Permutation. I'd not really heard of this music style before, so at the time it was like sex to the ears!

So we're back with 'Foley Room', which is AT's attempt on a new recordings style - i.e., field recordings. In previous attempts, its been mainly him mixing samples with his mad drum 'n bass/sonic/acid touches - and he does 'em so damn well! There's been odd genre mixes so beautifully done - yet he manages to fuse sonic elements and electronic touches in some ways you'd never imagine.

So with Foley Room, things have been done a little differently. His electic, sonic touch is still there - but this time we have orchestra, guitar explosions (almost Pulp Fiction stylee), the standard drum signature - and so much more! There're plently of atmospheric touches in here, andthat when you start to feel that we need more in the track - he just goes and does it.

I can't think of a better way than to start off this album with 'Bloodstone' - which gently blends the strings in with the pianos, before kaboomin' with his deep drum! - you know he's back, and he ain't takin no prisoners!

So we get onto his 'Esthers' - which if you remember, it's the track to the preview vid that was floating around Youtube a long while back. Well, this slightly reminds me of that Pulp Fiction title track with the adrenaline rush - it's almost ideal for the start of an action movie - because the hard, pounding drums lead the rest - although the piano drops in a little, just for headfuck. This is amazing....

Amongst these killers, we have 'Keep Your Distance' - which takes us back to his Supermodified days. 'The Killers Vanilla' is more of a clubbers take. 'Ever Falling' is another sonic meets melody style track - fast swooping drums phase to sonic patterns, sizzling your brain in the process. 'Always' is probably the other big, commercial track on here - as it's like a David Holmes/Amon Tobin collaboration - super cool, bit wierd, lovin it!

'At The End Of The Day' finishes the album off in the same ridiculously lush fashion that Bloodstone did. Electronic beeps kaleidoscope to an orchestra in the background (which I'm obviously loving!) whilst at the same time, the usual Tobin trickery is goin on. It feels almost bowel droppingly good. Definitely hairs on the back of your kneck anyway...